Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 3711, Medad Fowler, Mass.

SERVICE
Mass.
Fowler, Nedad
NUMBER
R. 3711.
CONTENTS

V 34.451 Nedad Fowler.
Mass.
Rejected
Vol. 21. 41.2 - 62. fri. 1 mo 30 20. 289. " " 1. 10.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Hampden ss
County of Berkshire, ss.
ON this Seventh day of November 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Honorable Oliver D. Dyer Judge of the Court of Probate, within and for said County of Berkshire, now sitting.
Nedab Fowler a resident of the town of Wittfield in the County of Hampden and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Seventy Seven years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
In the year 1777 in the latter part of the month of May is the first of June I cannot positively say which there was an alarm given that the British were coming down upon us, & the militia of this town were called together to see who would go & join the army. I was then about Seventeen years old, & was a drummer in the company of foot commanded by Capt David Mosely, (afterwards Col. Mosely) a large number of persons turned out, & I among the number. We started the next day & the day but one after & passed thro Pittsfield & Lebanon Falls mills, to Fort Edward. The chief body of our troops stopped about three miles this side, at Genl Schuyler's plantation, where we played in clearing up a tract of land. Capt Mosely and our captain, & Lieutenant Bush & many others of this town are still officers. Mr. Bush did not regularly belong to our company as he was in Capt Kellogg's company, but he was put into ours. Col. Robinson of Granville commanded the regiment, & I well remember that some of the troops told him they did not care where to clear land - & he said, that we must do it so as to have a parade ground. Of the persons who went with me I know of no one who is now alive. We left there about harvest time, Capt. Mosely came just after we did. We were absent at this time two months - There were men from this town by the name of Pitcher who were present with me but they have long since died & I know of no one living who knows of my service. The second time I went, and at the time of the Burningtown fight, just after I returned. There was an alarm, & we were again called upon to go. I volunteered & started with my command on horseback - we had reached Pittsfield when news came of the event of the battle, some were ordered to return. A part of the prisoners taken in the action were brought into this town & here kept awhile. I was absent at this time only a few days, viz three days, absent, besides the time we took in preparing. We bore our own expenses, except that we drew our powder from the town stock. I know of no one living who knows of my service.

7 The third time, was at the capture of Burgoyne. There was an alarm that he was coming to Albany & from thence to Springfield in this county, where he was going to winter. This was stated to us by one officer. Capt. Moseley said that if he should be at us, he would not give a farthing for all he was worth! He was much engaged, & as he was rich, we thought there was some reason for apprehension. When the name of the company was called over they answered whether they would soon not. There was no paper about it, as I know of. If they said they would go, they took them at their word. People was honest in them days. The officers of our company were Capt. David Moseley, Sergt. Martin Root. We had no Lieutenants. # We started about the first day of September, & were gone two months. When we arrived at the North river opposite Saratoga, we stayed for a few days in barns & a shelter put upon crutches. There was about a regiment of us there. While we were there the battle of Stillwater took place. We heard the guns distinctly. About sundown we were ordered to cross the river. There was a sand-bar running across it, on which we waded over. The water was only up to our middle, & it was a very cold night. We slept that night in the woods, most of the barracks, & were not allowed to light any fire to dry us. The next morning there was a very white frost on the ground, almost resembling a slight snow. After breakfast we were again directed to cross the river, & we went up the river, on the east side, opposite the place of the floating bridge (which had been taken up) & commenced digging intrenchments. We had been at work but a short time when the enemy came in sight & advanced a part of their force to the opposite side of the river. They commenced about the middle of the afternoon a fire upon us from two cannon, & we got up a single piece & returned it. We kept up our firing & digging till the cessation of arms. I remember that the first ball fired by them came very near Capt. Moseley, who was dressed in yellow buckskin breeches & was standing on the intrenchments. He instantly scrabbled down into the ditch, & dirtied his breeches with the dirt of the trench. Sergt. Martin Root, who had been down to Roxbury & was an old soldier, said "Capt. Moseley, you need not be afraid of that ball - it won't hurt you". This made something of a laugh. After about 7 or 8 days the cessation of arms took place, of three days, at end of which the articles were signed & Burgoyne surrendered. We stayed there about two weeks after this time. After the surrender, Sylvester Larnbee, from this town who was there, took me to the grave of Doct. Israel Abbley of this town, who died & was buried there in the French war. We were dismissed about the first of November, at least as I can remember, returned home, having been absent, one week more than two months, including the time taken in going & returning. Our General was Genl. Fellows. I do not know of any person now living who knows of my said service. The one of my neighbors Mr. Simon Smith was there & we have frequently talked over the circumstances, but we were then marching to New London. At this time I was drafted. The enemy was expected to come up to New London & Norton. The Captain of our company was from Mt. Springfield (Capt. Asa Lord), as also was one Lieutenant.
# The above is a page which is attached

(Cooper). The other went from this town, Master Stiles. The company was formed by draft to form said Dist. Springfield & this town. We were drafted for two months. & started the or the 1st of September, I cannot remember which, first day of August, 1779. We were nearly one week in getting to New London - & after two months from the time we started, we were told by Capt. Leonard that it was two months from the time we got there, & that if any one left before that time "he would see to him". Mr. John Stiles of this town was with me going, & returning, & is the only person now living, (except Rev. John Taylor of Michigan, with whom I was acquainted, & who as I believe knows of my said service. I was absent two months & ten days at this time -
The reason why I have not applied for a pension before is this - My pecuniary circumstances have been easy, & my health & strength good. I thought I would not apply for a pension when I did not want it. But I have now become old & infirm & unable to work. & having portioned off my family, I am in such circumstanced that I feel the need of it. In all the above period of service, I acted as a private soldier -
# Since the above was written, I remember upon reflection, that — Buel formerly of Westfield, who belonged to Capt. Dant Sackett's company of militia in this town, went up with me to the capture of Burgoyne, & was attached to the company in which I served as a Lieutenant.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State
Medad Fowler
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
before me
Richard Morris judge of Probate
We (see Rev. Mr Knapp's deposition) a Clergyman, residing in the town of Westfield and M c Graw residing in Westfield hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Medad Fowler who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 77  seventy seven years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
M c Graw
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
And the said Court doth hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories, prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that the foregoing certificate  Isaac Knapp who signed the proceeding certificate  depose from attached is a Clergyman, resident in the town of Westfield in the County of Hampden and M c Graw Esq r of Westfield and that who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Westfield in the County of Hampden and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Justin Willard
HENRY W. BISHOP , Register of the Court of Probate within and for the County of Berkshire  Hampden in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Medad Fowler for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office of said Court of Probate, this seventh day of November in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven
Justin Willard Register

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
REJECTED
3711
P. O.
Mrs. Fowler
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____ _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.

Medad Bates Rejected  Map.
For let. to Wm. G. Bates, April 23, 1838.
Same May 23 d 1838
3711

4 mo Nov 13
Mead Fowler
Oct 1832,
Rev J. H. Smith Sec. of War Washington D.C. Pardon suppl
FREE

Hon. J. M. Bouton Sec. of War
Please address any communication to W m G. Bates Esq. of Westfield Mass the - who has acted as the Attorney of Medad Fowler - respectfully yours -
Springfield Mass - Nov. 9 th 1827
J Williams Reg of Prob.

I Ezra Clapp now of Westfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts, aged twenty seven years & upwards do depose testify & say, that I have always been acquainted with Medad Rowles of said Westfield from our childhood. That I well remember that said Rowles went off in the war of the revolution as a soldier. That he went, in the early part of the war, to the North- to Port Edward or Saratoga, or both, tho I cannot recollect the number of times, or the length of his several services. That he also went to New London in the summer or fall of the year. My mother then kept tavern & they started from our house. That I cannot recollect the length of this service - but I believe it was four or five days - further certify, that from the time of said service to the present time said Rowles has al- ways been reputed & believed to have so been & that his character for truth is such that full faith & credit may be given to his statements.
I further state that I had engaged to go with them, but was prevented by a severe attack of sickness - I hired Reuben Pitcher to go in my room -
Ezra Clapp
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampden ss. Oct 30. 1837.
Personally appeared Ezra Clapp above named well known to me as a gentleman of truth & veracity, & made oath to the truth of the foregoing. & I further certify that I believe from my reliance upon the honor- ability of said Clapp, as from credit which is due to said Medad Rowles the declarant, that said Medad served as he stated in his declaration & that both said declaration & this deposition are true.
Wm G Bates
Justice of the Peace.

I William Moseley of Westfield aged seventy three years & upwards do hereby testify & say that I am a son of Capt, afterwards Col Daniel Moseley of Westfield dec d . That I well recollect that my father was a captain & while he held that office he went to Fort Edward & the vicinity in the revolutionary war & was absent at that time as near as I can recollect seven or eight weeks.
I also remember that Mr Medad Powers of Westfield went with him & returned about the same time.
I remember also that both my father & said Powers went to the taking of of Burgoyne, & were absent something like two months. My father has frequently spoken of the said Medad Powers, who at this time was but a boy - he spoke of him as being with him at that place & told anecdotes in relation to what happened to them - He told us what a steady boy he was, how obedient to orders, as I supposed then to stimulate & encourage us , viz my brothers & myself.
I frequently, after the war was ended, heard my father from time to time speak of revolutionary anecdotes, & he frequently from time to time made mention of said Powers as having been in the service, & as being in some manner connected with the anecdotes he related.
William Moseley
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Hampden ss. Oct 30 th 1857
Personally appeared Capt. W m Moseley

before named, well known to me as a man of truth & veracity & I made solemn oath to the truth of said deposition & I do further testify that I have the fullest confidence from his statements that the facts so stated by him are true -
(M c G. Bates)
Justice of the Peace.
I Isaac Knapp of Westfield County of Hampden State of Massachusetts aged sixty three years & upwards do hereby testify & say that I have during a period of thirty three years been well acquainted with M c Leod Fowler he having been all that time a member of the Church of which I am Pastor & much esteemed on account of his good sense, moral character & Christian piety. That he is respected & believed in this place to have served in the revolutionary war & that I concur in this opinion, & that I am well acquainted with John Stokes, Simon Smith, & Ezra Clap & believe them to be persons of veracity.
Isaac Knapp Pastor of the Congregational Church
Westfield Nov 4 th 1837.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampden P. Nov 4 1837.
Personally appeared before me on this day

the Rev d Isaac Knapp, the senior pastor of the first Congregational Society of this town (Metfield) & who has been known to me as such pastor for a period of more than thirty years, I made solemn oath to the truth of the deposition by him subscribed above before me
M c G. Bates Pastor of the Pence

I John Stiles of Westfield aged seventy seven years & upwards upon testimony say that I have been acquainted with M c Leod Fowler of said Westfield from my boyhood. That in the Revolutionary war, in the year 1779, I was drafted among others, among whom was said Fowler to go to New London. We started I think, on the fifth day of August, or September, I think it was August. It was on a Sunday & arrived at said New London on the next Saturday morning. We went from Norwich by water. We went for the purpose of relieving the Connecticut militia, who had been out some time - they were dis- missed at, or just before we arrived there. Said Fowler went & returned with me. I cannot distinctly recollect the time we were absent. It either was one month & two or three days, or two months & two or three days. I have no papers with which to assist my recollection.
John Stiles
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampden ss. Nov. 1. 1854. Personally appeared John Stiles above named well known to me as a man of truth & veracity, & in whose statement I have entire credit & made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition before me.
Wm G. Bates
Catharine the Peace.

I Simon Smith of Westfield in the County of Hampshire of lawful age to wit aged seventy eight & upwards do hereby certify & say that I have been acquainted with Michael Rowles of said Westfield for the space of more than fifty years: That I was at Saratoga at the capture of Burgoyne though not in the same regiment with said Rowles. That I was not then acquainted with him and I belonged to Montville Connecticut, but after the war I removed to Westfield & became a neighbor of, & immediately acquainted with said Rowles, & have lived by him ever since. When I first became acquainted with him I learned that he was at the capture of Burgoyne & from that time to this we have had frequent conversation respecting the events that transpired at that time. He has occasionally in such conversation reminded me of events & named persons & incidents in such conversation with me to that I myself knew, that I was & am fully satisfied that he could not have known themselves he had been present as he has stated in his declaration, which I have heard read.
I have many had the least doubt during the years that I have known him, from these conversations, that he served as he had stated - & I have also heard from other persons, who were present, but who are now dead, that he was in the service as he stated.

I further certify that he has ever maintained an unimpeachable character for truth & veracity & that the public have the fullest confidence in any of his declarations -
Simon Smith
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Hampden Co. Nov. 3 d 1837.
Personally appeared before me on the day aforesaid Simon Smith above named well known to me as a man of undoubted truth & veracity, & in whole statements I have entire credit & made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition. Wm G Bates Justice of the Peace.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Hampshire, ss
Justin Williams Register of the Probate Court for said County do hereby certify that William G. Bates Esquire before sworn the foregoing depositions of Ezra Clapp William Moule - Isaac Knapp, John H. H. & Simon Smith the depositions to have been taken & repeated as a Justice of the Peace within & for said County and that his signature subscribed to the several certificates thereof is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Probate Court at Springfield this seventh day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven
Justin Williams Register